The 118th running of the Boston Marathon saw its second-largest participant field in history with about 36,000 runners, which included more than two dozen Wilmingtonians crossing the finish line on Patriots’ Day.
With a time of 2:08:37, Meb Keflezighi, 38, of San Diego, won the Boston Marathon. It was the first time in 31 years that an American won the marathon.
Ranging in age from 21 to 62, runners from the Port City competed in one of the world’s most famous races as Tom Clifford, 30, finished the 26.2-mile course in 2:29:32 seconds. Clifford finished 90th overall and 72nd in his division.
“It was an awesome experience,” said Clifford. “Really just proud of everyone today. Humbled by the whole experience. It was 26 miles of screaming. There were crowds that looked like it was a stadium [for] the entire route. You raised your hand at any point of the race and the noise was so loud that it felt you climbed the biggest mountain and could conquer anything on Earth.
“You definitely need to get here, even if you don’t run–just for the experience,” Clifford continued. “Boston is so patriotic and it’s a lifetime experience. I think next time I run here, I’m going to observe more and take it easy and enjoy.”
Clifford praised Wilmington’s running community for their support.
“I just want to thank everyone in Wilmington for the support. One thing that got me through a couple of hard, hard miles was that I knew I had a lot of friends back home tracking me. Our community does really have an amazing running community,” Clifford said.
This was Clifford’s first time participating in the Boston Marathon but he’s no stranger to hitting the pavement. The 2014 Myrtle Beach Marathon champion, Clifford is also the founder of the annual Quintiles Marathon and Half-Marathon, which serve as a Boston-qualifying event.
Forty-year-old Richard Ulstad finished under the three-hour mark at 2:51:07, while New Hanover County Board of Education member Derrick Hickey, 43, completed his first trek through Boston with a personal best at 3:06:14.
“This was my first marathon in Boston,” Hickey said. “Last year after the Boston bombings, it was really important to me to get up here to run the marathon. Particularly, to teach my children that it’s not about how you get knocked down, but how you get up. And I’ll tell you what, Boston, today, was up and running.
“It was an incredible experience and a special day. I talked with runners who’ve been doing this a long time, and they said the mood and support was greater than it’s ever been. It wasn’t like I ran a 26-mile marathon. It was like I ran the first mile 26 times.”
Like Clifford, Hickey said the overwhelming crowd support was an inspiration.
“It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” Hickey said. “The last few blocks were awesome. Throughout the race, people were chanting, ‘USA, USA, USA.’ As I came down the final leg, there was a National Guardsman running with the American flag and she was tired. I ran over and lifted her arm that was holding the flag, and the entire street started going crazy. Just an amazing experience.”
Stuart Ross, 54, Henry Cherry III, 34, Karen Erickson, 32, and Donnie Norris, 52, crossed the finish line on Bolyston Street in under three and a half hours.
The area’s eldest runner in the marathon, William Richardson, 62, finished in 4:27:57.
Click here to search official results for local runners.
